Getting to Geneva, the French Alps, & Lyon

The airport in Geneva, Switzerland is the most convenient to the French Alps (followed closely by Lyon, France). Since Geneva is the closest major city to our office, we’re very familiar with transportation in the area. You, dear cyclists, may not be, so it’s about time we explain how to get here, whether you’re starting a tour in Geneva or need to visit us in Gaillard. You can skip to a particular section with these links:

Unlike major European hubs (like Paris, Zurich, or Frankfurt) where you might have a layover on your way in, Geneva Cointrin International Airport is tiny! Its manageable size translates into a more efficient and enjoyable arrival and departure experience. You can thank the Swiss for a clean airport, too.

Getting out of the airport to the city via public transportation is easy, and the best part is, it’s free. When you are in the baggage collection area, look for the machine vending “Billets” or “Rail Tickets” and make sure to print one before you leave the area! This complimentary ticket will give you 60 minutes of free access on Geneva’s public transportation system, called TPG (website French only at the moment; see “Plans” for up-to-date maps or learn more in English here).
Once you’ve cleared Customs and have your luggage and your Unireso ticket, head to your left through the Arrivals Hall. Just outside the exit, you’ll find an entrance to the Gare CFF Aéroport. Head inside and down to the lower level. Check to see when the next train to Geneva city center (Gare Cornavin) departs and on what platform. Your ride to Cornavin will last only about 6-7 minutes. (See next section for instructions from Gare Cornavin.)

Alternatively, or if for some reason the train isn’t running, buses #5, #10, and F will all take you to Gare Cornavin. Your Unireso ticket is valid on buses, too. Although there is a night bus option in Geneva, we recommend late-night arrivals take a taxi — it’s just easier.

Or, take a taxi from the airport directly to your hotel, which may cost about 30-40 chf.

When you arrive at Cornavin — from either the airport or from another city — your next step is to get to your hotel. This step depends on your lodgings, which in Geneva are typically conveniently located between the train station and Lake Geneva. From Cornavin, you can either walk, take a tram or bus, or take a cab. Fully assembled bikes are allowed on trams and buses.

Once you’re at your hotel and checked in, make sure you ask for a free Geneva Transport Card! This pass will give you complimentary access to Geneva’s entire transportation network, including trains, buses, trams, and even boats! If you don’t have a briefing scheduled right after your arrival and you want to start having fun, we have a few ideas.

On certain tours, we book rooms at a hotel in Gaillard, France — not too far from our office. We’ll outline those steps next.

Near Gaillard’s town hall

GETTING TO GAILLARD, FRANCE

Taking a taxi from the airport or Gare Cornavin to Gaillard, France is the quickest option by far. We recommend taking a Swiss cab because they take a direct route through the city of Geneva, rather than taking a longer highway route. A Swiss taxi from the airport will cost you about 65 chf. If you wish to take public transportation, you have a few options from Gare Cornavin. You could take the #12 tram to Moillesulaz, which is on the Swiss-French border. Once you cross it (a very easy task — but have your passport just in case!), you can grab a taxi.

Alternatively, you could take a #61 bus from Cornavin to the train station in Annemasse, France, and from there, take a French taxi. We recommend Alp Airport taxi (+33 6 61 35 87 00).

At the end of your tour (if you’re not riding on our Short Escape or the Upper French Alps tour, which both begin and end in Geneva, or if your tour doesn’t include a transfer,) you will probably need to get back to Geneva somehow! And when you do, make sure you have your passport on hand for the border crossing.

FROM ANNECY TO GENEVA

We strongly recommend our riders to arrange rental bike transfers from Annecy for a low fee. It’s the most hassle-free option. From our preferred hotels in Annecy, the train station (Annecy Gare) and the bus station (Gare Routière Nord) are a short 5-10 minute walk. The two stations are next to each other, in fact.

By Bus

For the shortest and most direct route to Geneva, take a Transdev bus #T72 or #T73 from Gare Routière Nord, a 10 euro ride that takes 1 hour. If you have rented your bike, you should be able to stow it under the bus fully assembled; if you have your own bike with you, we recommend stowing it in a bike box.

By Train

You could also take a train from Annecy to Geneva’s Gare Cornavin, connecting in Aix-les-Bains. Bikes are allowed on most trains; check the schedule for the little bicycle symbol. If during your search you come across a train that connects in La-Roche-sur-Foron or Saint-Julien-en-Genevois to Geneva Eaux-Vives, we recommend you ignore it. It’s the most inconvenient route; due to construction at Eaux-Vives, this option entails both train and autocar (bus) legs.

By Train to Annemasse

There are also trains (that allow bicycles) from Annecy to Annemasse, France, which is next door to Gaillard. Cyclists with whom we’ve made return arrangements should choose this option and bike back to the office, from which point we suggest taking a taxi.

By Taxi

If trains and buses aren’t your thing, a taxi will cost you about 100-150 euros from Annecy to the Geneva area.

FROM ALPE D’HUEZ TO GENEVA

While Alpe d’Huez is in a prime location for incredible views and fresh mountain air, its high elevation and relative isolation make for long rides back to civilization. The closest city to Alpe d’Huez is Grenoble, France — 18 miles or 29 km as the crow flies, but 39 miles or 63 km by car. For certain events, we have arranged transfers from Alpe d’Huez to various locations, but when you’re on a self-guided tour, you’ll need to arrange for your own transfer.

By Taxi to Geneva or Grenoble

You could arrange for a full taxi ride to Geneva (about 2.5 hours, roughly 450 euros) or, for a more reasonable fare, take the taxi to Grenoble, a roughly 1 hour and 15 minute ride. (We recommend Taxi de la Meije, +33 6 79 53 45 67.)

By Bus to Grenoble

There is also limited bus service from Alpe d’Huez to Grenoble on Saturdays. At 1:21 pm and 4:30 pm, the TAAH Bus departs from l’Eclose (with a few other stops around town following) and arrives at Grenoble Gare Routiere in about an hour and 45 minutes (about 10-15 euros one way). On weekdays, you would need to ride bus #3020 to Bourg d’Oisans and from there, take bus #3000 to Grenoble.

In Grenoble: Get to Geneva by Bus or Train

Once in Grenoble, head to the Gare Routière for bus connections or the Gare SNCF for train connections. Aerocar, a bus service, departs from Grenoble’s Gare Routière and drops you off directly at the airport in Geneva. Buses leave at 3:00 am, 6:00 am, 8:30 am, 11:15 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm. If you need to catch a flight, we strongly recommend you take advantage of this service! It’ll cost you about 50 euros. From Grenoble, you can also find a few direct trains to Geneva’s Gare Cornavin (about 2 hours) or trains that connect in Lyon.

LYON, THE OTHER GATEWAY TO THE ALPS

Lyon, France

None of our tours start in Lyon, France, but in some instances, it might make more sense for people to fly into or out of Lyon St. Exupéry Airport. For instance, you might find an incredible airfare deal, or you’re cycling the Via Rhona from Geneva to Lyon, or you want to spend time visiting Lyon after a cycling tour.

In Lyon: Get to Geneva by Train or Bus

Let’s say you’re flying into Lyon and and you don’t want to rent a car or take a taxi to Geneva (the more costly options). You’ll need to get to Lyon’s main train station in the city center, which you can do by express tram (under 30 min, 14.70 euros) or by taxi (34 minutes, about 50 euros). From Lyon’s Gare Part-Dieu, you have a few trains to choose from, priced between 28-50 euros. The fastest trains are TGV or TGV Lyria, for direct journeys lasting about an hour and 45 minutes. TER trains connecting in Chambéry take the longest at 3 hours and 20 minutes, while a TER and autocar (bus) combination, connecting in Aix-les-Bains or Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, lasts roughly 2 hours and 45 minutes. (We don’t recommend the train and autocar combination, but it might make sense for you.) At Gare Cornavin in Geneva, you will need your passport on hand when you go through customs. Follow the reverse process if you need to get to Lyon from Geneva.

In Lyon: Going to Other Cities in France by Train or Bus

You’ll find TGV access from Lyon St. Exupéry airport to destinations such as Avignon, Paris, and Grenoble. Getting to the TGV station is easy — from the central location between terminals 1 and 2, take the long walkway! Or, for more train options, including TER trains, follow the previous section’s steps to Gare Part-Dieu. There are also buses from the airport to Annecy, Aix-les-Bains, and Chambéry.

From Annecy & Grenoble: Get to Lyon by Train or Bus

If your tour ends in Annecy or Alpe d’Huez, you may want to consider connecting to Lyon. From Annecy, you can take a TGV directly to the Lyon airport or a TER train to Gare Part-Dieu. From Alpe d’Huez, you must first get to Grenoble, then you can also find TGVs to the airport or TERs to the city center. From either Grenoble or Annecy, you will also find bus service directly to the St. Exupéry airport (Your two options in Annecy are Transdev and Altibus.) Follow the reverse process if you need to get to Annecy or Grenoble from Lyon.